Salbutamol is a very commonly used drug for the treatment of asthma and COPD. Counseling of drugs is one of the important responsibility of pharmacist. This article covers some useful parameters that must be communicated to the patients before dispensing the drugs to them. It will ultimately improves the quality of life of patients.

Therapeutic Class:

Beta 2 adrenergic bronchodilator.

Therapeutic Indications:

Salbutamol is prescribed for the treatment and management of asthma & other conditions associated with reversible airway obstruction.

Premature labour

For management of bronchospasm in patient suffering from COPD who require regular treatment.

Counseling for Storage:

Patients should be instructed that the ideal storage temperature for Salbutamol is 15-25Co. Avoid direct exposure to heat and don’t use if solution is decolorized.

Protect from heat &heat

Counseling for Administration:

Patient should be encouraged for cessation of smoking if the patient is smoker as it is first step of treatment; if you are smoker immediately stop smoking because smoking can affect functions of lung and may lead to bronchoconstriction.

Nebulized solution should not escape into your eyes because it may cause complication like narrow angle glaucoma. To prevent this you wear goggles before administration.

If you are pregnant then you should always use drug in inhalation route because parentral salbutamol may affect your myometrium

Counseling for Proper Use of Inhaler:

Most of the asthmatic and COPD patients do not know the proper method of use of inhaler. So it is the duty of pharmacist to counsel the patients regarding how to use salbutamol if physician has prescribed them inhaler. Following are some key steps that should be communicated to the patients regarding the proper use of inhaler.

By subcutaneous or intramuscular injection, 500 micrograms, repeated every 4 hours if needed

By slow intravenous injection (dilute into a power of 50 micrograms/mL), 250 micrograms, repeated if necessary; child 1 month–couple of years 5 micrograms/kg being a single dose [unlicensed]; 2–18 years 15 micrograms/kg (max. 250 micrograms) being a single dose [unlicensed]

By intravenous infusion, initially 5 micrograms/minute, adjusted according to response and heart-rate usually in range 3–20 micrograms/minute, and up if needed; child 1 month–18 years initially 1–5 micrograms/kg/minute, adjusted in line with response and pulse (doses above 2 micrograms/kg/minute in intensive care setting) [unlicensed]

By aerosol inhalation, 100–200 micrograms (1–2 puffs); for persistent symptoms nearly 4 times daily (child 100 micrograms (1 puff), increased to 200 micrograms (2 puffs) if required; for persistent symptoms as much as four times daily

By inhalation of powder (for Asmasal Clickhaler®, Salbulin Novolizer®, and Ventolin Accuhaler® doses, see under preparations), 200–400 micrograms; for persistent symptoms nearly 4 times daily; child over five years 200 micrograms; for persistent symptoms as much as 4x daily